Two days ago, November 14,2016, the international community marked the World Diabetes Day. The has been set aside to mark the birthday of Fredrick Banting who together with Charles Best and John James Richard Macleod first conceived the idea, which led to the discovery of Insulin in 1922. World Diabetes Day was launched in 1991 by the IDF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in response to the rapid rise of diabetes around the world. The theme for this year’s observance is ‘Eyes on diabetes’. This year’s activities will focus on promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, more than 415 million adults are living with diabetes worldwide and this number is expected to increase to 642 million by 2040. With such frightening forecast and rate of increase, it is pertinent to define diabetes. It is a disorder of the metabolism causing excessive thirst and the production of large amounts of urine. In addition, it is a condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, more than 415 million adults are living with diabetes worldwide and this number is expected to increase to 642 million by 2040. With such frightening forecast and rate of increase, it is pertinent to define diabetes. It is a disorder of the metabolism causing excessive thirst and the production of large amounts of urine. In addition, it is a condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly.
This is because the pancreas does not produce any insulin, or not enough insulin, or the insulin produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
There are two types of diabetes, which are Type 1, and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin. In this case, the body cannot use glucose to produce energy and due to this, the body does not use the glucose, which ends up passing into the urine.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10 per cent of all adults with diabetes and is treated by daily insulin doses, taken either by injections or through an insulin pump. Incidentally, it can develop at any age but usually appears before the age of 40, and especially in childhood.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body are unable to produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
Type 2 diabetes accounts for between 85 and 95 per cent of all people with the sickness and is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. The common symptoms of diabetes, include going to the toilet a lot, especially at night, being really thirsty, feeling more tired than usual, losing weight without trying to, genital itching or thrush, cuts and wounds taking longer to heal and blurred vision.
Currently, there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes, but it can be treated by administering insulin, either by an injection or pump, or by following a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular physical activity. In Nigeria, the incidence of diabetes is on the increase. It is therefore pertinent that the authorities establish diabetes-screening centres across the country’s geopolitical zones to enable Nigerians of all ages know their status. This would no doubt reduce the complications associated with the disease.
Fortunately, diabetes is not a death sentence. It can be prevented and controlled by avoiding risky behaviour and unhealthy lifestyle that include smoking, excessive alcohol, unhealthy nutrition such as consumption of red meat, saturated fat, refined sugar and physical inactivity.
There are two types of diabetes, which are Type 1, and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin. In this case, the body cannot use glucose to produce energy and due to this, the body does not use the glucose, which ends up passing into the urine.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10 per cent of all adults with diabetes and is treated by daily insulin doses, taken either by injections or through an insulin pump. Incidentally, it can develop at any age but usually appears before the age of 40, and especially in childhood.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body are unable to produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
Type 2 diabetes accounts for between 85 and 95 per cent of all people with the sickness and is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. The common symptoms of diabetes, include going to the toilet a lot, especially at night, being really thirsty, feeling more tired than usual, losing weight without trying to, genital itching or thrush, cuts and wounds taking longer to heal and blurred vision.
Currently, there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes, but it can be treated by administering insulin, either by an injection or pump, or by following a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular physical activity. In Nigeria, the incidence of diabetes is on the increase. It is therefore pertinent that the authorities establish diabetes-screening centres across the country’s geopolitical zones to enable Nigerians of all ages know their status. This would no doubt reduce the complications associated with the disease.
Fortunately, diabetes is not a death sentence. It can be prevented and controlled by avoiding risky behaviour and unhealthy lifestyle that include smoking, excessive alcohol, unhealthy nutrition such as consumption of red meat, saturated fat, refined sugar and physical inactivity.
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